Temples are important aspects of our our culture. wish to bring in to light the temples/ Kovil's that are very ancient & thier significance to light.This blog also will also shed light on the less popular but ancient temples/ Kovil's to your perview.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: Thirukovilur, a town near villupuram , Tamilnadu, India.
Thirukovilur is 75 kms from Cuddalore, 36 from Villupuram, 36 from Thiruvannamalai.

Legends:

A king by name Mahabali, hosted a yaha to get the power much more than others, with the help of Sukrachariya. To let his ego down, Vishnu appeared there disgused and asked him for "dhana" for land of three feet. Due to his donating nature, the king accepted for it, unknowing that the disgused man is Vishnu. The vishnu taking the oppourtunity kept gaint leep, with first leg in earth and second leg in sky. and asked the king, where to keep the third step. on realising the presence of Vishnu, Mahabali felt ashamed and replied that there is no place with him other than his head. Vishnu kept his feet on the head. Due to the weight , Mahabali drowned in the ground. Vishnu granted pardon to him and blessed him.

About the lord

The Lord is standing on one feet (left feet) while the other one is pointing towards the sky. Lord Brahma is performing pooja to the right foot and Namuchi, the grandson of King Mahabali if offering is prayers to the left foot. Goddess Mahalakshmi is standing below the right leg of the Lord. Baktha Prakaladan and King Mahabali are found on the right side of the Lord. To the left are the first three Azhwars who rendered the famous Naalayira Divya Prabandham in this temple. Also found are Mrugundu maharishi and his wife.

Unique Features:

*Unique feature of this Lord is that the Chakra is found in the left hand while the Conch is in the right hand.
*The Lord shows his pointer finger symbolizing his question to King Mahabali as to where to put the third foot.
*Another unique feature of this temple is the presence of Vishnu Durga. The presence of Durga in a vaishnavite temple is unique. This durga is none other than the daughter of Yashoda, who was replaced with Krishna by Vasudeva in Krishna avatar. She is said to be near her brother guarding him.
*This is one among the "Pancha Krishnaranya Kshetram".
*In this sthalam only, Naalayira Divya Prabandham was explained to the world and hence its said to be the place of origin .

The temple is located at about 3 km from Thirukkovilur towards Villupuram.

The Temple: The 160 feet high Gopuram in this shrine (dating back to the 7th century) with three prakarams . This is a rock-cut cave temple of Pallavas. Thiruvannamalai is visible from this hill. There is an idol of Ramanar as a young boy in a meditative posture and the temple is visited by many Ramana Maharsishi followers.
The temple is located in a beautiful location on a hillock adjacent to the South Pennai river and is visible from a distance across the river. There are two entrances, one through the main road and the other through the river side.

Legends:

* Ramanar has meditated in this temple when he was a young boy.

* It is believed that the Pandavas visited Arankandanallur and that the temple tank close to the cave in which they stayed was created with Bhima’s mace. There are two sunais (water streams) on the hillock which are said to have been used by Pandavas and Draupadi.

* There is an imprint of Thirugnana Sambandar’s feet here. Sambandar is said to have miraculously moved a huge rock that had been placed to block the shrine. Thirugnana Sambandhar worshipped Thiruvannamalai from this hillock top.

Lava-kucha, twin sons of Rama, while living at Valmiki’s Ashram here, tied the Ashwametha horse sent by Rama. Then Rama himself came fought with Lava-kucha with the knowledge that they where their sons. The name of the place Siruvarpuri came from the phrase ‘Siruvar-Por-Puri’. The other names Siruvarampedu came from ‘Siruvar-Ambu-Edu’ and Chinnampedu came from ‘Chinna-Ambu-Edu’. Siruvapuri is believed to be the Kusalapuri of Ramayana.

The Temple:

The temple has 5 tier Rajagopuram
Arunagirinathar is seen just near the sanctum facing the Lord
Except The presiding deity all the other deities are made out of green granite stones
This temple also has Sri Annamalaiyar (Lord Shiva) and Sri Unnamulai Amman.
The temple also has Valli Manalar Deity which also is very rare.

Unknown Facts:

An unique feature of this temple is the Maragatha Mayil (Peacock) the carrier of Lord Muruga made of Green stone.

Mayil vahanam, Suryanar, Vinayagar and Annamalaiar lingam are all made out of green granite stones

This Temple is famous in that whatever you believe in and visit here continously once a week for 6 weeks will come true.

Particularly those who are building a house or those who have not been able to find a house are believed to be blessed with a house after visiting this temple.

Kundrathur is about 28kms from chennai located in the middle of pallavaram,poonamalee and porur .

Presiding deity : Kundrathur Murugan along with his consorts valli and devayani.

Legends: Lord halted on the hills of Kundrathur during his journey from Tiruporur to Truttanigai.

History: The temple dates back to the reign of the famous emperor of Chola dynasty- King Kulothunga Chola-II.

About the Temple:
The temple is situated at the top of a small hill and 83 steps leads to the temple, on climbing the steps valansuzhi vinayagar sannidhi stands first and having a dharshan of vinayagar in just a few steps one can enter the murugar shrine.

Unknown Facts:
God Subramaniam can be seen along with only one Goddess at the time. In no position of viewing can both the Goddesses (Valli and Deivanai) be seen together with the Lord.

History : The inscriptions in the shrine of Devayani affirm the fact that the land for the temple was donated by Vikrama Chola (1118 - 1133 AD).

Legends:

Lord Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi were subjected to the curse of Kanva rishi. Lord Shiva came to this place to liberate and relieve them from the effect of the curse.

Lord Vishnu worshiped Shiva as "Vanmeekeswara" on the Pranava Hill. He did this to get rid of the sin of having killed Soorapadman.

In total three battles were waged by Lord muruga in three different place namely Tiruchendur, Tiruparankundram and Thiruporur. Lord Muruga fought with Thaaraga in this place and slayed him. Hence the name Porur. 'Por' in Tamil means war.

About the Temple:

The periyavar

The sanctum sanctorum of the presiding deity faces east. The Murthy in the anthill is covered with Kavacham. This deity is known as. He is garlanded with leaves of the Vilva tree.

The chinnavar

With in the sanctum sanctorum, there is another smaller deity with consorts, known as 'chinnavar,' who alone is worshipped with abisheka, aradhana.

Pushkarini :

Vallayaar Odai or Shanmuga Theertham

Pranavamiratnam

Vellayutha pushkarni

Sthala Vruksham: Vanni.

UnKnown Facts:

*Vallayaar Odai or Shanmuga Theertham was formed When Lord Muruga's spear pierced the earth, water came gushing out.

*Sri Chidambara Swamigal has established two chakras in the temple. The first one, known as the Srichakra, is installed on the left side of the presiding deity. The second chakra is known as Theertha-chakra and is installed in the sanctum sanctorum.

* The Presiding deity is said to Swayambhu Murti.

*Abisheka is not performed on 'periyavar'.
*Sri Chidambara Sivagnana Swamigal an ardent worshipper of "Madurai Meenakshi Amman" had a vision of the Goddess bidding him to build a temple for Lord Muruga at Thirupporur. Swamigal went to Thiruporur and searched for an idol of Muruga, but his efforts were in vain. Later on when an old man pointed his finger in one particular spot, Swamigal was overwhelmed to see an idol of Lord Muruga. He started building the temple for the seventh time, since the first six constructions got dilapidated when he was hunting for an idol.

The presiding deity Sthanumalayan combines the three Murthys viz. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Legends:

Sage Athiri and his wife Anusuya were leading a holy life in Susindram performing penance. During his absence, the three Murthys Brahmma, Vishnu and Shiva visited Anusuya asking for food. When Anusuya began feeding them that they could not accept her hospitality as she was wearing clothes. Anusuya prayed to her husband and spilled on them the water with which her husband’s feet were washed and the Gods became children. She breast fed them, put them in a cradle and made them sleep. The consorts of the Murthys, Saraswathi, Mahalakshmi and Parvathi came in search of their husbands and begged Anusuya to return them in their true forms. Anusuya obliged. The temple was built in memory of this incident installing the three Murthys in one form.

Suchindrum is the place where king of heavens Devraj Indra attained ‘Suchi’ i.e., purification. According to Sthalapurana Indra taken over by the beauty of Ahalya had cast amorous glances towards her. Ahalya was the wife of sage Gowthama . A fierce Gowthama then cursed Indra. Humiliated Indra sought immediate redemption to the curse. He came to ‘Gnana Aranya’ (as the place was called then) and started worshipping Lord Shiva. Mahadev pleased with Indra’s devotion relieved him of his curse and granted his wish that this place would henceforth be called as Suchindrum.

It is also said that lord Shiva proceeded from this place to Kanyakumari for marrying Parashakti appearing in the form of a Kumari before the clever Narada foiled their marriage plans.

About the Temple:

The temple complex :

*Kontai Adi Temple

*Nandeeswar

*Chitra sabai

*Vasantha Mandapam

*Kailasanathar Temple

*Pancha Pandavar temple

*Subramania Swamy temple

*Alankara Mandapam (with musical pillars)

*Sthanumalaya Swami Sanctum Sanctorum

*Chenbagaraman Mandapam

*Anjaneya Swamy Statue

The construction of this temple began in the fifth century by the Pandya Maharaja - maran Chadayan. there after the Chola Rajas, Vijayanagar chieftians, Nayaks of Madurai and continued to the present set up by the Maharaja of Travancore, Chithirathirunal in the 20th century, as it is seen today. the gopura 134 feet high, the main entrance door of 24 feet high of granite, Mandapa with granite pillars of 18 feet height, granite idol of Nandi having 13 ft height.

Sri Sthanumalaya, the Trinity of God (Siva, Vishnu and Brahma) is the presiding deity at Suchindrum. The Lingam here is in three parts. The top represents "Sthanu" lord Siva, the middle "Mal" is the name for Vishnu, and lastly the base "Ayan" signifies Brahma. It is perhaps the only temple of its kind in whole world.

Alankara Mandapam-musical pillars

Alankara Mandapam on the northern side of the corridor there are four large pillars that are formed by a group of cylinders carved out of stone. Two of these pillars are made of 33 cylinders and the other two are made of 25 cylinders. These are the famous 'musical pillars', real marvels of the art and technical superiority of the workmen of those days. These stone pillars produce perfect musical notes when tapped on them.

Anjaneya statue:
The Anjaneya statue stands at 22 feet .It is of great historical interest that this statue was buried in the temple, fearing an attack by Tippu Sultan and was, subsequently, forgotten.The statue was re-installed in all it glory when Sri M.K. Neelakanta Iyer, the then Secretary of the Devaswom Board,an extremely pious and honourable aristocrat under the Maharaja of Travancore tripped and fell while circumambulating the temple. The Namboothiris were summoned and after a detailed study of Prasnam, it was found that the Hanuman statue was buried there.

Parihara stalam

pratana stalam for marriage, children, longevity and prosperity needs.
Worship of Lord Anjaneya of this temple for physical and mental health.

Festivals:

*Markazhi (December/January)
*Chiththirai (April/May)
During the Markazhi festival, on the 9th day the deities are taken out in procession around the streets on three festival cars.

Uncover Unknown Facts

*There rare female form of Vinayaka here is known as Vigneshwari, or Vallabha Ganeshaani. *Enormous 22 foot tall figure of Hanuman, which is carved from a single block of granite.*The upper portion of the Lingam in the sanctum sanctorum represents Shiva, the middle portion Vishnu and the lower portion Brahma.

The presiding deity:Lord Madhusudhana , along with with Goddesses Lakshmidevi and Bhoomadevi

Location : Parakkai, about five km from Nagercoil.

Other Names: Pakshirajapuram , Kezharmangalam , Paravaikasur

About the Deity:
The presiding Lord Madhusudhana, Lord Vishnu appears in the form of Madhusudhana with four hands. While, two hands hold the disc and conch, the other right hand is held aloft in abaya hastha position and the left rests on the left thigh. He is seen with Goddesses Lakshmidevi and Bhoomadevi.

Important feature to be noted is that the stone image of Garuda facing the deity.

Significance of the Name: It is also said Lord Vishnu came to be known as Madhusudhana after he slew the demons Madhu and Kaidapan.

According to the Legends:
A sculptor who was an ardent devotee of the Lord etched an image of Garuda in wood while in Kanchipuram and the bird came to life and flew Southwards. After arriving at the Parakkai village, Garuda, it is said, had a dip in the tank in front of the temple ,hovered around the deity making a pradakshana and began to fly away. An artisan, who was renovating a pillar at the temple, saw the bird and hurled a chisel at it. The bird fell down crying `Madhusudhana', much to the shock and disbelief of the man. As a result its right wing suffered a wound. A stone image was later carved at the spot where he fell.

Uncovering unknown Facts:
* The sun rays falling directly on this Perumal's feet on the 10th day of the month of Chitirai ,henceSun pooja is performed then.
*Important feature to be noted is that the stone image of Garuda facing the deity.
*The prasadam here for the Moolavar is kozhakattai (Amrithakalsam.) in the shape of a big coconut.
*Visiting the shrine after going to the Sri Sthanumalayan temple at Suchindram, (located on the way to Kanyakumari ), is considered very auspicious.

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